Page 41 of Playing for the Dark
Looking at the underwear, the best idea I’ve had in a while comes to me. I take out the beautiful white lace pair my lovely stalker has given me and slide them up my legs and in place, collecting all the blood I can on them. I stand in place for a minute before pulling them off and setting them on a piece of paper on my desk. I head to the shower and wash off real quick. I have some assignments to get done today before work, and I want to hit the gym too. I might trade that out for a nap though, with my period hitting me.
I head back into my room after putting my daytime skincare on and grab my phone. I scroll on for a minute but remember talking to Marcello about my stalker issue the other day at Zamir’s.
I hit the call button and listen for a couple of rings.
The deep voice that reminds me of all the good times picks up the phone. “Ellie, what good karma am I receiving getting to hear your voice?” Marcello’s deep voice rings through the speaker. Fuck, his voice is so sultry.
“You can get some more good karmaif you help me out…”
“What can I help with, Elle? You know you don’t even need to ask. Give me the command, and I’ll be there.”
“It’s my stalker.” I sound so defeated, even to myself.
He rushes out, “What’s happened? Are you okay?”
Chuckling, I answer, “Right now, I am, but he’s made himself known again.”
“Come over to my apartment; I can try to get to the bottom of it.”
“When?”
“Now. If you don’t have anything else to do.”
“Okay, I’ll get ready and head over. Since I know where you live now.” I’m fucking smiling at my phone. I’ve missed him so much over the past few years. We’ve grown apart, but no matter how long it’s been, we always go right back to where we left off. He will always hold a place in my heart.
1. nameless - Stevie Howie
Chapter 31
Marcello
The knocking at my door has me pulling myself out of my thoughts. I’m trying not to spiral from inviting Ellie over to my apartment. I’m supposed to be keeping her away from me for her safety. Then I get one opening, and the words are spilling out of my mouth before I can stop them.
Opening the door with a subtle smile, I try not to show my whole body vibrating with excitement. “Was the trip over good?” She looks so much happier nowadays. Her hair is up on the top of her head and is all black besides that front white piece. I’m sure Blair did it. I need to send a text to Blair telling her how well she did on it.
I’m staring at her gorgeous frame. She’s wearing a black cut-up crop top that shows the little peek of her stomach that her black high-waisted leggings don't cover.
“Yes, Marcello, quit being so proper and invite me in.” I outstretch my arm, inviting her in. She walks in, looks around for a second, and starts to head toward my all-white, too-big-for-just-me sectional.
She’s the only person I allow to talk to me like she does and get to live to see another day. When she does it, though, it brings me sick joy.And makes your cock hard, fuck face.
She flops down on the couch like she owns the thing, and honestly, she just needs to say the word. I would hand over my whole empire if that meant she was safe while also being able to be with me. I sit down beside her close enough that my thighs brush hers when I spread my legs out. I question her, “What happened today that needed my attention?”
“Where do I start?” She’s tapping her chin like she’s actually thinking, then continues on, “I woke up covered in what I’m pretty sure was jizz.” She smiles at me, but it looks like a smile before you’re about to lose your shit. “Started my fucking period standing there looking at a bag of expensive-ass underwear sitting on my dresser that I didn’t buy, then pulled this note out of the bottom of it.” She hands the note over to me, but I don’t need to read it. I know what it says; I wrote the damn thing. I act like I’m reading it though, and I plaster a scowl on my face. “I don’t like this, Ellie. Someone is coming into your apartment, coming all over you? And on top of that, my niece is there too.”
“They don’t seem to be interested in Blair, thankfully. I would’ve already moved out if that were the case. I’m not risking her safety because some creep can’t leave me the fuck alone.” She looks over at me and continues, “Your dirty cops aren’t doing a thing about this either. Anytime I call, they ask if someone is actively in my apartment, I tell them no, and then they tell me to call the non-emergent number and file a report.” She gives me the most unamused look, clearly not impressed by the cops I keep in my pocket. She doesn’t know I pay them to brush these incidents and reports under the rug.
Noah intercepts the calls most of the time, acts like he’s filing a report, and just calls me, telling me I’m a sick fuck. I think he might get some kind of voyeurism joy out of all of this. Even if he knows he can’t watch the cameras in her room. I’d take his eyeballs out of his head and make Doc fix him up. Leave him blind for looking at what’s mine.
“Those aren’t the cops in my pocket, Elle, and you know that.”
“I know, I’m just being dramatic, and I thought I had remembered that nickname! Nash has been calling me that. It’s been so long since I’ve heard it come from you. I couldn’t put two and two together.” I see red. That little fucking prick touching what’s mine. Him even talking to her pisses me the hell off.
Her hand is on my thigh, and she asks in a concerned voice, “Marcello, are you okay? You’re really red.” I just nod. If I open my mouth right now, I’ll lose it.
I fume for a minute, then get up. “You want something to drink?”
“Not before you tell me what just happened.”
